Structure and morphology of vascular plants. Sexual and agamic reproduction and life cycles of Gymnosperm and Angiosperm. Metabolism and photosynthesis. Relations of plants with environmental factors.
Raven P.H., Evert R.F., Eichhorn S.E.,, 2002. Biologia delle Piante. VI edizione. Zanichelli, Bologna
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: basic knowledge about: (i) the structure of the higher plants and their organization; (ii) the sexual reproduction; (iii) the function of higher plants in relation to environmental factors.
Competence acquired (at the end of the course):
abilities of recognition and description of the morphology, anatomy and physiology of seed plants.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
autonomy in knowledge and description of seed plants, and their physiologican analysis, with special references to ornamental trees and shrubs.
Prerequisites
Courses required: None
Courses recommmended: None
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 225
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 153
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 50
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours):
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 22
Seminars (hours): 0
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 0
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
Recommended
Teaching tools
PC and projector
Type of Assessment
Oral
Course program
The cell: components and organelles. Cell growth by division and distension. Cell differentiation. The meristems and adult tissues. The seeds and germination. The leaf. Stomata and guard cells. Leaf anatomy and morphology The foliar abscission. The stem structure. The conducting bundles. The radial growth. The root: morphology and anatomy of the primary structure.
The sexual and agamic reproduction. Principles of genetic and life cycles. The flower and the fruit. Morphology. Pollination and seed dispersion strategies. Taxonomy and evolution concepts. .The species and mechanisms of speciation.
Metabolism. Respiration and Krebs cycle. The diffusion of solutes. Cell Membranes.
Photosynthesis. Luminous phase and dark phase. Photorespiration. C4 and CAM plants. Ecology of photosynthesis.
Hormones and growth control. Photoperiod. Phytochrome. Seeds and buds dormancy.
Water and solutes transport. Xylem and phloem transport. Transpiration by cuticles and by stomata. Mineral nutrition. Cationic Exchange Capacity. Stress physiology.